A's owners planning Earthquakes?

The A's and Major League Soccer have scheduled a news conference today, presumably to discuss details of the deal, which has been in the works since the Oakland Athletics Investment Group -- which includes managing partner Lewis Wolff, team President Michael Crowley and general manager Billy Beane -- announced its intention to purchase a MLS team in December.

A new San Jose MLS team would replace the Earthquakes, who left for Houston after the 2005 season.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber said at the time of the Earthquakes' departure that San Jose could receive an expansion team as early as the 2007 season. The expansion team likely will retain the Earthquakes' name and team colors.

Where the team would play is uncertain. Spartan Stadium, which was the Earthquakes' home field for 10 seasons, remains a possibility, but a soccer-only facility could be built in San Jose, Santa Clara or Fremont.

It is not clear whether there is a connection between Wolff's interest in building a soccer facility and his endeavors to build a new stadium for the A's. The team is believed to be negotiating to build a ballpark in Fremont. The A's lease with the Oakland Coliseum expires in 2007 with options to stay until 2010.

A post on the Web site for Soccer Silicon Valley indicates there was a 90-minute meeting in early April between the grassroots organization dedicated to bringing back a team to San Jose and Wolff and Crowley that included discussions about potential sites. SSV President Don Gagliardi had no comment when reached Tuesday afternoon.